The Measure CC campaign (Santa Ana Medical Marijuana Initiative) were all set to run a booth at this weekend’s Fiestas Patrias event in Downtown Santa Ana when they got a call from Santa Ana Parks and Recreation Director Gerardo Mouet.
Mouet cancelled their booth. He said that it was not his policy to allow any political booths. The Measure CC campaign director had previously been told by another City of Santa Ana employee that he got an internal email that stated that the Measure CC booth would be a “public safety risk.”
The Measure CC campaign was previously told that it would be okay for them to participate in the Fiestas Patrias event as their goal was to register and educate voters.
As of yesterday the City of Santa Ana has not returned the check that the Measure CC campaign submitted for the booth.
I have to call BS on this entire mess. This is a free speech violation by Mouet and he and the City of Santa Ana will be very lucky if the ACLU doesn’t sue them on behalf of Measure CC.
The City of Santa Ana has no ordinance or regulations about booth participants. This is all on Mouet.
I attend the Fiestas Patrias event every year. The booths they are sold to all sorts of businesses, from questionable personal injury lawyers to food companies that give out samples of all sorts of processed junk food. Why not allow political booths? Are you kidding me? The people of this city desperately need more info about who is running for what. Why shut out the political organizations and candidates? The only reason to do that is to protect the incumbents!
By the way there is a parade at the Fiestas Patrias every year and guess what? Every damn politician in Santa Ana will be riding in the parade promoting themselves! But they won’t allow their political opponents to do so! Are you kidding me? This is a civil rights lawsuit waiting to happen!
The City of Santa Ana has their own medical marijuana initiative you see and they don’t want to allow the competition to reach out to the public.
Well all of this is unconstitutional. It is an abridgment of free speech. And if you think the City will allow Measure CC supporters to promote their initiative as they walk about the event think again. I saw the cops rousting those who were doing that last year. See the picture atop this post.
This is ridiculous. Mouet must reverse his decision and for that to happen we need you, our readers, to blast the City Council yet again.
Here is the contact info for our City Council:
- Santa Ana Councilwoman Michele Martinez, Ward 2. She is currently running for re-election. Email her here and here. Call her at (714) 887-9845.
- Santa Ana Councilman David Benavides, Ward 4. He is currently running for re-election. Email him here and here. Call him at (714) 475-1630.
- Santa Ana Mayor Pro Tem Sal Tinajero, Ward 6. He is currently running for re-election. Email him here and here. Call him at (714) 552-2800.
- Santa Ana Councilman Roman Reyna, Ward 5. He is currently running for Mayor of Santa Ana. Email him here. Call him at 714-647-6900.
- Santa Ana Councilman Vince Sarmiento, Ward 1. Email him here. Call him at 714-647-6900.
- Santa Ana Councilwoman Angie Amezcua, Ward 3. Email her here. Call her at 714-647-6900.
- Santa Ana Mayor Miguel Pulido. Email him here. He is currently running for reelection. Call him at 714-647-6900.
- Santa Ana City Manager David Cavazos. Call him at (714) 647-5200.
Leave it up to someone to create a mess. Can we just not keep the peace and move forward.
Probably not in this city. We have to keep our city officials on notice by staying informed.
Politics has never been allowed with an exception for sitting elected official’s. I know it seems unfair, but that is the way it is.
It is unfair and unconstitutional.
That’s ridiculous. City governments must abide by the law.
You’re insane. We post all your stupid racist comments.
The fix is in. Some Santa Ana council members will do anything to keep from getting real jobs.
I find it appalling that the city Parks Director has found it necessary to deny the Measure CC supporters a booth at the Festival this weekend. This is an insult to the 1st Amendment rights of all citizens! In a city that is struggling with economic problems, it’s sad to think that a city official would expose us to the expense of such litigation. Please stop doing such stupid things!
The “Parks Director” is an under educated public employee, who failed to to make the cut as itierm city manager. He got caught LYING about his credentials. This is EXACTLY what pulido’s detractors claim, just in their favor.
Watch this unfold.
The event is not even called, Fiestas Patrias anymore. Who changed that?
Mouet did.
Fiala, did you register our booth to protest the fake semites that are trying to monopoly our blessed virgin that is Santa Ana?
Just pretend that it is an arts organization.
Call the Cops – Rob Hustle ft. Liv: http://youtu.be/IlY9C6pzxKc
I remember several years ago that both the Republican and Democratic Party had booths at the Fiesta. Gerardo was still the Parks and Rec Director, what has changed?
This is a Pulido policy. Came about during 2010, when Amezcua got a booth. Pulido and Alvarez were outraged. Mouet is just a tool and thinks he is Santa Ana’s own Machiavelli.
Well our supposedly liberal City Council can overrule this. But their interested in protecting their seats too, aren’t they?